The effect of cannabis on urge incontinence in patients with multiple sclerosis: a
multicentre, randomised placebo-controlled trial (CAMS-LUTS).

Abstract

OBJECTIVETo test whether cannabinoids reduce urge incontinence episodes without affecting voiding
in patients with multiple sclerosis. This was part of the multicentre trial of the
Cannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis (CAMS) study.SUBJECTS AND METHODSThe CAMS study randomised 630 patients to receive oral administration of cannabis
extract, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or matched placebo. For this substudy
subjects completed incontinence diaries.RESULTSAll three groups showed a significant reduction, p<0.01, in adjusted episode rate
(i.e. correcting for baseline imbalance) from baseline to the end of treatment: cannabis
extract, 38%; THC, 33%; and placebo, 18%. Both active treatments showed significant
effects over placebo (cannabis extract, p=0.005; THC, p=0.039).CONCLUSIONThe findings are suggestive of a clinical effect of cannabis on incontinence episodes
in patients with MS. This is in contrast to the negative finding of the CAMS study,
where no difference was seen in the primary outcome of spasticity.